In today’s episode, we tackle building relationships in a divided world with Dr. Kurt Gray. Kurt is an award-winning researcher and moral psychologist with deep insights into human behavior and polarization. As a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he directs the Deepest Beliefs Lab and the Center for the Science of Moral Understanding. He is also the author of The Mind Club: Who Thinks, What Feels, and Why It Matters, exploring the intricacies of how we perceive and judge others in society.  Have you ever considered how rising polarization affects our ability to forge strong, meaningful relationships? What if bridging the vast divide between differing viewpoints could be achieved by examining our moral compass and the inherent blind spots it creates? Dive into a compelling discussion with Dr. Kurt Gray, who sheds light on the subtle yet profound ways morality shapes our perceptions of others. What to Listen For Introduction – 0:00 What are Dr. Gray's strategies for strengthening relationships across ideological divides? How do our default settings of fear and the search for allies affect our political and social views? This is why most people can’t engage in tough conversations – 14:09 Why is it challenging to discuss politics and morality today?  What are the key strategies for overcoming polarization and enhancing communication in today's divided world? The secret to bridging political polarization – 24:38 Why is validating someone's views crucial in conversations, and how can it be done without agreeing? Why are personal stories more powerful than facts in changing perspectives? The evolving nature of political identities – 36:17 How have our political identities evolved over time, and what does that mean for our current views? How significant is the overlap of values shared between different political parties, and why is it often overlooked? What misconceptions do we hold about political polarization, and how can understanding the past help us better navigate the present? The predator vs prey narrative in politics – 47:17 How does viewing political opponents as predators or prey affect our ability to engage in meaningful conversations? What are the 3 steps to connecting with people who you disagree with? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode, we tackle the Ask Approach with Jeff Wetzler. Jeff is a world expert in learning and human potential, has more than 25 years' experience in business and education as a management consultant at the world's top organizations, and is the author of his latest book, Ask: Tap Into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You for Unexpected Breakthroughs In Leadership and Life.  Have you ever pondered why analytical thinkers often find themselves at a crossroads in communication and networking? What if the key to unlocking exceptional leadership and life-changing relationships lies in the questions we ask? How can shifting our approach from problem-solving to curiosity-driven conversations revolutionize our connections? Dive deep with us as we explore the Ask Approach, a transformative framework designed to bridge the gap between analytical prowess and emotional intelligence. What to Listen For Introduction – 0:00 Who is Jeff Wetzler, and how can his "Ask Approach" transform your leadership skills and life? What holds people back from sharing vital information, and how does it affect decision-making? The secret to strengthening your curiosity muscle – 10:52 Why is curiosity essential for building stronger personal and professional relationships? How can curiosity unlock problem-solving and collaboration in the workplace? Make people feel safe enough to tell you anything – 17:41 What can you do if you want to make people feel safe and comfortable telling you information they normally would not? How to start on the right foot in a new management position – 24:29 What questions can you ask to make sure your team feels safe following your leadership and comfortable enough to help you understand where the weaknesses are in the organization?  Is it possible to ask too many questions – 34:14 What types of questions foster deeper understanding? How can you listen more effectively? How can reflecting and reconnecting based on conversations enhance your communication skills? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode, we tackle attachment with Nicholas Epley. Nick is an expert on human behavior and decision making, a professor of behavioral science and faculty director for decision research at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, the author of the highly acclaimed book Mindwise: Why We Misunderstand What Others Think, Believe, Feel, and Want.  Ever wonder why some people excel in social situations while others struggle? How can understanding the biases that lead us to believe we're effective mind readers of friends and strangers alike transform our interactions? And what simple strategies can we employ to build real connections quickly? Join us as Nick Epley sheds light on these intriguing questions, offering insights from his acclaimed book "Mindwise" and revealing the secret to truly understanding what others think, believe, feel, and want. What to Listen For Introduction – 0:00 What is the biggest problem that stops us from being able to better understand and predict what other people think? How well do we really know what others think and feel? Dispelling the biggest myth about our brains – 13:36 Why does the biggest myth about how we use our brains continue to persist and why is it wrong? How does perspective drastically change one person’s understanding of a situation and what can you do to alleviate the inevitable friction that difference in perspective causes? The biggest hurdles most people struggle with when reading minds – 18:55 What are the dangers of typing vs. talking in our ability to convey sarcasm and understand each other? How does our prediction of future behaviors or reactions in extreme situations often mislead us? When are stereotypes useful and when are they harmful? Dispelling the biggest myth about political polarization – 35:47 Is the country actually becoming more polarized politically or is something else going on that makes us think we’re becoming more polarized? The importance of direct communication most people miss – 41:59 What is the best way to make any interaction with a stranger into a positive one that can lead to friendship or romance?  Most people won’t do this to create deeper relationships in their lives – 58:40 What do most people avoid doing even though it’s the best way to create the deep relationships they want in their lives? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode, we dive deep into rewriting your life story with AJ, Johnny, and Michael Herold.  How do you rewrite your personal narrative to align with your core values and set meaningful goals for your future? Can understanding and rewriting your story spark real change in your life? This episode of The Art of Charm delves into these critical questions, offering you a unique opportunity to explore the power of storytelling in personal development. What to Listen For Introduction – 0:00 How do our brains use stories to predict the future, and why is this relevant to you? How can acknowledging both positive and negative stories shape your future? The Biggest Myth About Rewriting Your Story – 10:36 Why doesn't changing your past narrative work, and what should you do instead? Why isn't revising your past the key to a brighter future? The Most Important Step to Take When Rewriting Your Story – 23:24 Why is your next action step more important than your past narrative? Values vs. Goals: How do they work together to attract success into your life? Recognizing and Acting on Choice Points – 31:00 What are action points, and how can they be game-changers in your life? How to deal with resistance from others as you start to change your narrative? The Critical Role of Self-Compassion in Rewriting Your Story – 37:25 Why is self-compassion important in rewriting your story, and how can you cultivate an empowering level of self-compassion? How can embracing your new narrative and taking action today transform your life? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode, we dive deep into the essence of leadership and personal transformation with a stellar lineup of guests. Brad Lomenick brings his expertise on impactful leadership and personal growth, drawing from his experience as a consultant and author of influential books including H3 Leadership: Be Humble. Stay Hungry. Always Hustle. We hear from Brett Crozier, whose distinguished career in the US Navy offers invaluable lessons on resilience and integrity. Dan Luna, with his rich background as a Navy SEAL and leadership coach, shares insights on developing leadership skills under pressure. John Mackey, the visionary behind Whole Foods Market, discusses the principles of conscious capitalism and leadership that have guided his successful career. Leadership expert Patrick Lencioni provides practical advice on building effective teams and organizations, while Jake Wood, co-founder of Team Rubicon, talks about the power of vulnerability and integrity in leadership.  How can you bust leadership myths and embrace humility, hunger, and hustle to drive success? What are the key traits all leaders need, and how can embracing vulnerability and integrity transform your leadership style? This episode of The Art of Charm answers these questions and more, providing you with the tools and insights needed to become a stronger, more conscious leader. What to Listen For Introduction – 0:00 What are common misconceptions about leadership roles and titles? Why is self-leadership crucial in today's career landscape? Most people don’t understand this about group dynamics and leadership frames – 10:10 How does the concept of "herd mentality" apply to leadership and fitting into social environments? Why is focusing on your team or people fundamental to leadership success? How do you master leadership skills in your everyday life? – 19:00 Why is practice crucial in developing leadership skills? What makes conscious leadership different from conventional leadership? How effective leaders deal with criticism and their inner critic – 29:44 What can you do to not feel anonymous in your organization and not be that cog? How can leaders effectively show vulnerability to their team? What are the three things employees need to avoid feeling miserable at work? Leading with integrity and handling no’s – 39:05 What is the importance of facing rejection and criticism for a leader? How can leaders remain steadfast and true to their values in the face of adversity? Traits that make leaders effective – 47:48 How do humility and vulnerability contribute to leadership effectiveness? How should leaders approach crisis situations to maintain team confidence and trust? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode, we tackle attachment with Dr. Judy Ho. Dr. Ho is a clinical neuropsychologist and a tenured professor and researcher at Pepperdine University, works as a forensic expert and media consultant, and last time she joined us to talk about her book, Stop Self-Sabotage, and today, she's back to talk about her latest book, The New Rules of Attachment: How to Heal Your Relationships, Reparent Your Inner Child, and Secure Your Life Vision. Everyone knows how attachment styles influence romantic relationships, but how do they hold you back in your career, why do you need to understand your attachment style to build healthy relationships, and what can you do to change your attachment style and raise children with secure attachment styles? What to Listen For Introduction – 0:00 What is attachment theory and what are the 4 attachment styles? How do parenting styles produce different attachment styles in their children?  How to avoid raising insecure children – 13:14 What do you need to avoid to raise children to have a secure attachment style?  If you have an insecure attachment style, what can you do to change it to a secure attachment style? How do you change your attachment style – 20:13 What can you do to break the pattern of avoidant attachment and develop a secure attachment style? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the avoidant attachment style? How do I connect with an avoidant attachment style? The secret to living with an insecure attachment style – 33:14 What simple 10 second exercise can you do to accept your attachment style while you’re working to change it so it doesn’t sabotage your relationships? How to deal with your partner’s attachment style – 40:23 What can you do if you’re putting in a lot of work to understand your attachment style and your partner’s, but your partner isn’t interested in doing the same work? What are you supposed to do when a family member’s attachment style creates conflict with yours?  Breaking free of your avoidant attachment style in your career – 49:33 How does your avoidant attachment style sabotage your career and your ability to advance? Should everyone be striving to have a secure attachment style? A Word From Our Sponsors Bombas crafts ridiculously comfortable socks, tees, and underwear, and for every item sold, they donate one to help those facing homelessness — over 100 million essentials donated so far. Not only are their clothes designed for ultimate comfort with features like arch support and buttery-soft fabric, but they also ensure customer satisfaction with a 100% Happiness Guarantee for hassle-free returns and exchanges. Ready to get comfy and give back? Head over to Bombas.com/CHARM and use code CHARM for twenty percent off your first purchase! $75 SPONSORED JOB CREDIT to upgrade your job post at Indeed.com/CHARM. Offer good for a limited time. Ready to start your ecommerce business? Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/charm. Grow your business–no matter what stage you’re in. Curious about your influence level?  Get your Influence Index Score today! Take this 60-second quiz to find out how your influence stacks up against top performers at theartofcharm.com/influence Running out of things to say in conversation… and still struggling to get people interested in you?  That’s an uncomfortable position to be in. Don’t want to risk getting tongue-tied and screwing things up the next time you meet someone?  Check out Conversation Magic now to make sure you don't crash and burn. With our bulletproof formula, you'll be flirting up a storm, sparking fun and engaging conversations, and making high-value friends anywhere! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode, we tackle slow productivity with Cal Newport. Cal is a leading productivity expert and the author of several best selling books, including a A World Without Email: Reimagining Work in an Age of Communication Overload, Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World, Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, and So Good They Can't Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love. His newest book is titled Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout. What if slowing down was actually the secret to achieving more? In this episode, we dive into the intriguing world of slow productivity: Can embracing a slower pace truly catapult your career success? What are the three foundational principles of slow productivity, and how can you apply them to revolutionize your work ethic? Moreover, why is transforming your relationship with productivity essential for not just professional achievement, but for crafting a fulfilling life? What to Listen For Introduction – 0:00 What is pseudo productivity and how does being pseudo productive at work damage your relationships and personal life? What’s wrong with how we think about transparency at work and what is the best level of transparency to maximize team productivity? The evolution of workplace productivity – 13:49 Why did productivity decrease when we have so many tools to be more productive? What can you eliminate from your daily schedule to be 10x more productive than your competition? How do you limit communication to maximize productivity? The reason most people can’t leave their work at the office – 28:18 Why is it important to slow down if you want to increase productivity? What are the 3 biggest takeaways from studying traditional knowledge workers that you can use to maximize productivity? Can you be more productive without using any email? – 40:45 What happpened the productivity of 12 employees in a study where the experimenters disabled their email accounts? What simple framework can you implement on your team to improve transparency, reduce stress, increase productivity, and increase the collaboration between employees and managers? The little known technique to most effectively distribute your team’s workload – 52:23 Why do rude people get promoted faster? What mistake do people make that prevents them from getting promoted without even knowing it? How do you apply slow productivity to being a more productive writer – 1:08:16 What principles of slow productivity should you apply to your writing practice to increase your productivity and efficiency as a writer? What simple trick can you implement in your hybrid work situation to decrease time spent on email, increase communication effectivity, increase meeting effectivity, increase productivity, and increase deep work? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode, we tackle meaning and purpose with Samuel T Wilkinson. Sam is a professor of psychiatry at Yale University, an associate director of the Yale Depression Research Program, and the author of his latest book Purpose: What Evolution and Human Nature Imply about the Meaning of Our Existence. In this episode, we explore the two sides of human nature and how they guide us to find our true purpose. We dive into free will's role in achieving a good life, look at how committed relationships affect our happiness, and share new scientific findings on evolution that help explain our life's meaning.  What to Listen For Introduction – 0:00 How does understanding the duality of human nature enhance your leadership and communication strategy? Is our success and decision-making process truly random, or is there an underlying order that can be leveraged for personal growth? How do different religious beliefs about free will influence our life choices and purpose? – 14:48 Can exploring various beliefs on free will unlock a deeper sense of purpose and direction in life and career? What are the implications of Monogamy vs. Promiscuity on society and personal well-being? – 20:10 How do shifting norms around relationships impact societal stability and individual well-being? How do relationships define our happiness and purpose, according to the longest running study on human development? How do deep meaningful relationships fuel our search for purpose? – 33:00 How do relationships and attachment theory play a critical role in finding purpose and fulfillment? What are the actionable steps to deepen your connections and harness the power of meaningful relationships in your personal and professional life?  How does parenthood reshape our priorities and enhance our sense of purpose? – 40:16 How does parenthood transform one's priorities and contribute to a greater sense of purpose and societal contribution? What are the unique rewards and challenges of raising children, and how do they impact personal growth and career advancement? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode, we tackle supercommunicators with Charles Duhigg. Charles is a Pulitzer prize-winning reporter, writer for The New Yorker magazine, and the author of two New York Times bestsellers, The Power of Habit, and his second book, Smarter Faster Better. His latest book, Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection, is available February 20, 2024. We discuss how supercommunicators use 3 types of conversation to their advantage. Charles shares a 3 second preparation routine you can use instantly to make your conversations better. How to skip small talk and take conversation deeper to create connection with anyone, and why recognizing social identities can help you manage difficult conversations effectively. What to Listen For Introduction – 0:00 How do you recognize a supercommunicator in your life, and what impact do they have on your personal development and well-being? What do supercommunicators do so well that most people suck at? The thin line between authentic conversation and interrogation – 16:29 What simple mindset shift can you make to turn boring conversations into fulfilling conversations that engage the other person and make them look forward to talking to you? Social media gets toxic because most people don’t know these rules – 24:13 Why are there rules for communicating through different forms of technology and how do those rules cause social media to be so toxic? If you want lifelong happiness, what do you need to have by age 45 and 65? The little known technique that makes hard conversations easy – 34:28 What are the 3 types of conversations and how do you know which type you’re having with someone so there’s no disconnect? How do you build out the skill set to be more comfortable expressing vulnerability? Quick guide to prepare you for any conversation – 47:43 What are practical ways to mentally prepare for emotional and social discussions, even if you're not accustomed to expressing vulnerability? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode, we tackle learning excellence with Eric Potterat and Alan Eagle. Eric is one of the world's leading performance psychologists, a retired US naval commander, a lead psychologist for the US Navy Seals, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and co-author of Learned Excellence: Mental Disciplines for Leading and Winning from the World's Top Performers. His co author, Allan Eagle, is a colleague of Dr. Potterat’s at Google and best selling author himself. He was blown away by Dr Potterat’s lessons and wanted to co-author a book To share Eric's knowledge with the world.  How can the mental disciplines used by the world's elite performers transform not just your career, but how you connect with others? We uncover the secrets to achieving unparalleled success and fulfillment, learning from experts who've coached the best, from Navy SEALs to top business leaders, on learning excellence, becoming visible in elite circles to unlock career opportunities, and the 6 pillars of performance you need to master to become elite.  What to Listen For Introduction – 0:00 What simple exercise can you do to improve your performance in every area of your daily life? The mindset shift most that causes most people to give up – 14:00 What do you do when effort and hard work are not enough to perform at your best or reach your goals? What is the key to becoming excellent at anything you choose to pursue, even if you’re currently terrible at it? How do you know if you’re on the right path – 27:20 What can you look for to figure out if you’re on the right path or using the right process to solve your problem? What can you do to get yourself ready before a big speech or pitch to manage stress, and how do you manage the stress in the moment? How do elite performers take valuable experience from everything they do – 37:50 What are the 6 pillars you should always maintain in life to create the greatest resilience before life inevitably kicks you in the face? Unlocking elite performance in your children – 45:54 How do you help your children learn excellence? What questions can you ask your kids everyday to achieve their potential? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices